Introduction
What to do
Where to eat
When to visit
How to get there
Where to stay
Hiring a car

Bolton travel guide

Bolton Tourism | Bolton Guide

You're Going to Love Bolton

With a population of 141,331, Bolton is a must-see destination in England, United Kingdom. It is one of the most popular cities to visit in the country. Bolton deserves at least 2 full days for you to see its main sights.

Where to Eat in Bolton

If you’re looking for affordable options, Ewe Restaurant and Bar (370 Chorley Rd) and The Thomas Egerton (272 Blackburn Road) are great picks.

When to visit Bolton

Bolton in December
Estimated hotel price
£60
1 night at 3-star hotel
Bolton in December
Estimated hotel price
£60
1 night at 3-star hotel

How to Get to Bolton

Plane

Although Bolton doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Manchester Airport (UK) (MAN), which is located 17 miles from Bolton. The shortest domestic flight to Bolton departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Bolton, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Bolton to Birmingham takes 2h 20m and costs around £44 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about £35 for a 2h 36m trip. Located 2.0 miles from the city centre, Bolton Moses Gate is the busiest station in Bolton. Another popular train station is Bolton Bromley Cross, located 2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bolton is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 173 miles from Bolton. You’ll find branches of Turo and Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Bolton using FlixBus or National Express. From Leeds, the bus ride to Bolton takes 70 miles and will cost you around £10. From Liverpool, the ticket costs about £15 for a journey of 80 miles. Bolton’s bus station is located 0.3 miles from the city centre.

Plane

Although Bolton doesn’t have its own airport, you can fly to Manchester Airport (UK) (MAN), which is located 17 miles from Bolton. The shortest domestic flight to Bolton departs from Belfast and takes around 55m.

Train

AccesRail is the most popular train carrier serving Bolton, followed by Avanti West Coast. The train journey from Bolton to Birmingham takes 2h 20m and costs around £44 for a one-way ticket. When coming by train from London, expect to pay about £35 for a 2h 36m trip. Located 2.0 miles from the city centre, Bolton Moses Gate is the busiest station in Bolton. Another popular train station is Bolton Bromley Cross, located 2 miles from the centre.

Car

Another option to get to Bolton is to pick up a car hire from London, which is about 173 miles from Bolton. You’ll find branches of Turo and Rentacar, among others, in London.

Bus

You can travel by bus to Bolton using FlixBus or National Express. From Leeds, the bus ride to Bolton takes 70 miles and will cost you around £10. From Liverpool, the ticket costs about £15 for a journey of 80 miles. Bolton’s bus station is located 0.3 miles from the city centre.

Airports near Bolton

LPLLiverpool J. Lennon
LBALeeds/Bradford
MANManchester

Airlines serving Bolton

KLM
Good (1,467 reviews)
Lufthansa
Good (7,833 reviews)
British Airways
Good (7,779 reviews)
Delta
Good (8,271 reviews)
Turkish Airlines
Good (4,248 reviews)
SWISS
Good (1,889 reviews)
Iberia
Good (3,135 reviews)
Qatar Airways
Good (3,746 reviews)
United Airlines
Good (9,405 reviews)
Air France
Good (1,543 reviews)
Emirates
Excellent (3,539 reviews)
Austrian Airlines
Good (901 reviews)
Scandinavian Airlines
Good (1,705 reviews)
Air Canada
Good (10,794 reviews)
Etihad Airways
Good (1,424 reviews)
LOT
Good (1,183 reviews)
Finnair
Good (1,370 reviews)
Cathay Pacific
Good (1,197 reviews)
Singapore Airlines
Excellent (1,470 reviews)
Brussels Airlines
Good (389 reviews)
Show more
Find flights to Bolton

Where to stay in Bolton

There are also lots of holiday rental options in Bolton, with prices from £8 to £888 per night. Downtown is the neighbourhood with the highest amount of rentals to choose from. On average, holiday rentals in Bolton are about 17% more expensive than a hotel room in the city.

Where to stay in popular areas of Bolton

Most booked hotels in Bolton

See all
Holiday Inn Express Wigan By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.7, Excellent reviews)
£51+
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Bay Horse by Good Night Inns
3 stars
Excellent (8.6, Excellent reviews)
£55+
View
Holiday Inn Express Leigh - Sports Village By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8.5, Excellent reviews)
£60+
View
Bolton Stadium Hotel
4 stars
Excellent (8.3, Excellent reviews)
£64+
View
Holiday Inn Bolton Centre By IHG
3 stars
Excellent (8, Excellent reviews)
£59+
View
Last Drop Village Hotel & Spa
4 stars
Good (7.9, Good reviews)
£78+
View

Hiring a car in Bolton

Hiring a car in Bolton costs £28 per day, on average, or £56 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 15% more expensive than at Manchester.

Expect to pay £1.33 per litre in Bolton (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £15.93 and £21.24. The most frequently booked car type in Bolton is Standard (Class Commercial Truck or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is, on average, 80% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Hiring a car in Bolton costs £28 per day, on average, or £56 if you want to hire it for 2 days.

You’re likely to save money by hiring your car at the airport: locations in the city are, on average, 15% more expensive than at Manchester.

Expect to pay £1.33 per litre in Bolton (average price from the past 30 days). Depending on the size of your car hire, filling up the tank will cost between £15.93 and £21.24. The most frequently booked car type in Bolton is Standard (Class Commercial Truck or similar). If you’re looking to save money, though, keep in mind that Compact car hire (Volkswagen Polo or similar) is, on average, 80% cheaper than other car hire types in the city.

Best car hire deals in Bolton

Economy

2 adults, 2 Bags

£25/day

Economy

Intermediate

5 adults, 3 Bags

£28/day

Intermediate
Find car hire in Bolton